Art-ology

Digital picture frames are becoming more and more popular, and it’s not difficult to see why. They have much more functionality than traditional frames which are only capable of displaying one snapshot at a time and – when you think about the cost of printing out hard copies of photographs – are a more costly option.

Some digital photo frames include video, audio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and other functions may also be included. All digital frames allow you to create your own slideshows, often with transitions, which will let you display all your photos using a single frame. On a cost per photograph, digital frames are much more effective than static ones.

And, on the subject of cost, the LCD technology employed by these frames is also reducing in price which means that the digital frames are now available at very affordable prices. However, before you rush out and buy one, here are a few pointers that you may wish to consider:

Buy Your Frame To Suit The End User
A high percentage of digital picture frames are bought as gifts, often for elderly relatives who will enjoy viewing images of their children and grandchildren. Some digital frames have high end features like full web browsers, web radio, text news feeds, Wi-Fi etc. Apart from adding functionality, these additional features can also mean that the user interface is more complex – and potentially more confusing. Obviously these extra bells and whistles also lead to a significantly greater price tag.

So, if your intended gift recipient is only interested in looking at pictures, you might be better to go for a simpler frame which might not only save you money but be more likely to be used on a regular basis. More technologically aware users might enjoy web enabled features of course.

Remember: Brand Name May Not Be A Guarantee Of Quality
You would probably be surprised at the poor quality images displayed by some of the basic level models marketed by some very well known high street brand names. On the other hand, you would probably be surprised (for different reasons) at the quality of some lesser known brand names. Check out reviews – or see the frame in operation before you buy.

Select The Correct Resolution
The most commonly chosen frame size is seven inches. It’s a good compromise between size and cost – and it also corresponds with a typical traditional frame or photograph size. It’s what you expect to see in other words.

For a frame of this size you should be looking for a resolution of at least 640 X 480 pixels. Anything less than that will give you blocky, pixelated, images. There’s no point in saving money if the quality of the image is too poor for your intended use.

Choose The Correct Aspect Ratio
Digital picture frames generally come in 2 aspect ratios; 4:3 and 15:9. Most digital cameras produce digital images in 4:3 ratio so a frame with this setting will be the best for displaying your images. If you use a 15:9 frame then the top and bottom of your images will be cropped so as to fit on the screen. Alternatively you can manually size your photographs before displaying them and crop them to suit.

The Image Is Not The Complete Picture
Top quality image reproduction is important but you might have other considerations that require to be taken into account. Ease of use and functionality may also be important items for you. The menu system and user interface ease of use can vary widely from one frame to another and you may want to consider that before making your final choice. Integrated Wi-Fi, which allows you to transfer pictures via your home wireless[/spin[ network, would consider worthwhile. If you are technically aware then you could consider installing a frame at your parent’s home which has the facility to download images from file sharing networks on the web. You might just want something as simple as a timer which switches the frame off when not in use or a frame with its own internal battery for use when travelling perhaps.

These are just a few suggestions for you. Consider the end user and the most likely application and take some time to consider your alternatives and you’ll be able to select a good, value for money, frame which will display your images in a economic manner for a long time to come.